Depressive symptoms disrupt leftward cradling.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Leftward cradling bias is theorized to enhance mother-infant interaction.
• Existing research on the impact of depression on this bias is inconclusive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between depressive symptoms and preferred cradling side in nulliparous women.
• Investigate how varying levels of depressive symptoms influence cradling bias.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 619 nulliparous women (aged 18-25) participated.
• Participants imagined soothing an infant on four occasions and completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II.
• Data were collected through an online survey.

Main Results:

• Higher depressive symptom scores were linked to a decrease in leftward cradling.
• A trend indicated increased rightward cradling with greater depressive symptoms.
• Women with the highest depressive symptoms showed less consistent leftward cradling, more rightward cradling, or no bias.

Conclusions:

• Reduced leftward cradling bias in women with depressive symptoms supports theories linking it to right-hemisphere functions in social relating.
• Disruptions in leftward cradling may negatively affect mother-infant interactions and child development.